World shocked by new Syria carnage

Published May 27th, 2012 - 05:09 GMT

Unanimous condemnations after the massacre perpetrated by the regime forces

The massacre in the Syrian town of Hula was confirmed yesterday after UN observers have counted a hundred of deaths, including at least 32 children. On his part, the UN Secretary General accused Damascus regime of violating international law and its commitments.

Paris, London and Berlin have also denounced the killings. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), composed mostly of deserters, called powers to conduct "air raids" against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The opposition accused the regime of committing the massacre that left, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), 114 dead, including 32 children.

The UN chief Ban Ki-moon and international envoy Kofi Annan both condemned "in the strongest terms the deaths, confirmed by the UN observers, of dozens of men, women and children "at Hula, in central Syria, said Martin Nesirky, spokesperson for Mr. Ban.

"This terrible and revolting crime, in which indiscriminate and disproportionate force was used, is a flagrant violation of international law and commitments made by the Syrian government to cease its use of heavy weapons in cities," stated Ban and Annan, adding that "the perpetrators of these crimes must be judged."

In Damascus, General Robert Mood, the UN Chief Observer, also condemned "the brutal tragedy."

The opposition has attributed the massacre to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, while the official SANA news agency accused "armed terrorist groups" of having "burned and blew up houses Friday night [...] to make it appears like the Syrian armed forces bombed the area. "

Berlin said its was "horrified and shocked", while Paris has condemned the "atrocities" inflicted on the Syrians. "I made immediate contacts to arrange a meeting in Paris of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People," said the French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius.